Maria Sharapova insists she can end a losing streak that stretches back over 10 years when she faces Serena Williams on Thursday.
Sharapova won her only Wimbledon title to date in 2004 with a stunning straight-sets victory over Williams.
The then 17-year-old also won their next meeting, the WTA Tour Championships later the same year, but the American has dominated ever since.
Williams now leads the head-to-head record 17-2, having won their last 16 meetings, and in that time Sharapova has won just three sets against the current world number one.
Sharapova is well aware of her poor run against Williams but the Russian insists she can still reach Saturday’s final.
“I think it’s always a new match. I haven’t had great success against her. I would love to change that around. That’s how I look at it,” Sharapova told BBC Sport.
“There are definitely no secrets between each other’s games, but it will be an incredible moment for me to step out on Centre Court against her again. There’s no easy road to victory. You’re going to have your bumps. That’s the way I see it.”
The world number four has been in fine form at the All England Club and has dropped just one set en route to the semi-finals, against the unseeded Coco Vandeweghe in the previous round, but Williams will provide a very different test for the 28-year-old.
Williams was under pressure in her clashes with Heather Watson and Victoria Azarenka but managed to get through both of those tough matches as she bids for a sixth Wimbledon title and will be confident of claiming a 17th successive win over Sharapova.
Sharapova is 4.75 to secure the win on Thursday and Williams can be backed at 1.17.
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